Morehead St. adds four players

Posted: Fri 8:04 PM, Aug 03, 2012&nbsp|&nbsp

Updated: Fri 8:04 PM, Aug 03, 2012

MOREHEAD, Ky. -- The Morehead State men’s basketball program has added Jason Holmes, Maurice Lewis-Briggs, Brent Arrington and Karam Mashour. Holmes and Lewis-Briggs are eligible for the 2012-13 season, while Arrington and Mashour have to sit out a year due to NCAA transfer rules.

“We are excited about the addition of these four young men,” Morehead State Head Coach Sean Woods said. “They are all very talented basketball players who have potential to make significant contributions at this level. I know Jason and Brent well from our time together at Mississippi Valley State, and I’ve been excited about what I’ve seen from Maurice and Karam to this point.”

Holmes, who attended Guerin Prep High School in River Grove, Ill., has one season of eligibility remaining. He comes to MSU after one year at Cochise College (Ariz.) and three seasons at Mississippi Valley State, but sat out last year as a medical redshirt.

A 6-foot-9 post player, Holmes averaged 8.2 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 54 percent from the field as a freshman at Cochise in 2008-09.

Holmes recorded 6.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game while knocking down 50 percent from the floor as a sophomore at MVSU in 2009-10. He then averaged 5.7 points and 3.0 boards while connecting on 51 percent from the field for the Delta Devils as a junior in 2010-11.

“Jason was the best post player in the Southwestern Athletic Conference heading into last season, but he suffered an injury and missed the entire year,” Woods said. “He is a versatile lefty who runs well, stretches the defense and can block shots. Jason has experience in a winning environment and will compete for one of our starting spots.”

Lewis-Briggs, who attended Norristown High School in Pennsylvania, has two seasons of eligibility left. He comes to MSU after one season at Ohlone College (Calif.) and one year at the Community College of Beaver County (Pa.).

A 6-foot-8 post player, Lewis-Briggs averaged 24.2 points and 13.7 rebounds while shooting 62 percent from the field as a sophomore at CCBC in 2011-12.

Lewis-Briggs posted a team-best 29 double-doubles in his year with the Titans. He registered a season-best 37 points, plus 15 rebounds and three steals, against Butler County CC.

“Maurice was a big-time scorer and rebounder last season -- and we feel like he will be able to do that at the Division I level,” Woods said. “He will be a mismatch for our opponents because of his ability to play three different positions. Maurice is a tough guy who is very talented. He has a knack for the ball and great feel for the game.”

Arrington, who attended Lansdowne High School in Halethorpe, Md., has three years of eligibility beginning with the 2013-14 campaign. He comes to MSU after one year at Mississippi Valley State.

A 6-foot-2 guard, Arrington tallied 6.8 points and 2.7 rebounds per game as a freshman in 2011-12. He registered a game-high and career-best 33 points on 12-of-18 from the floor last season at top-ranked North Carolina.

With Arrington’s help, MVSU finished 21-13 overall, 17-1 in the SWAC, won the league tournament and advanced to the school’s fifth-ever NCAA Tournament.

“Brent should be an important piece to our puzzle for years to come,” Woods said. “He’s a big-time player, with a very bright future, who can play three positions. Brent was one of the best freshmen in the SWAC last year. His performance at North Carolina speaks to his potential. He has a tough mentality and is one of the better on-ball defenders I’ve ever coached.”

Mashour, who attended St. Joseph High School in Nazareth, Israel, has two years of eligibility beginning with the 2013-14 campaign. He comes to MSU after two years at the UNLV.

A 6-foot-6 guard/forward, Mashour played in 25 games for the Rebels over the past two seasons. He averaged 2.3 points as a freshman in 2010-11 and 1.5 points as a sophomore in 2011-12.

Mashour tallied 21.6 points and 6.0 rebounds per contest in high school.

“Karam has been a pleasant surprise so far,” Woods said. "He is an athletic swingman who is versatile and can shoot it. Karam will learn quite a bit in the season he has to sit out and will have an opportunity to contribute for us in 2013-14 and 2014-15.”

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